Issue - meetings

Report CEF21015

The Council held a contract with Bromley and Croydon Women’s Aid for the delivery of a range of support services to women and girls at risk of, or who have suffered, domestic violence and abuse (‘DVA’). The contract was wholly grant funded and continuation of the service was dependent upon confirmation of recurrent grant funding.

A one-year contract commenced on 1^st April 2020, with an option to extend for a further two years. The contract length was set so that it aligned with grant funding arrangements at that time. The estimated annual value was £179K and an estimated whole life value of £546K.  Grant funding for 2021/2022 was confirmed for one year only and approval (CEF20015) to extend the contract for one year was granted. In addition, the contract was varied to reduce the scope of the requirement. This reduced the annual contract value by an estimated £30k. 

The report sought authorisation from the Portfolio Holder for Children and Families to proceed to tender for the service at an estimated cost of £150k per annum for a total potential period of up to five years on a 1 + 3 + 1 year model (1+3+1) with a total cost of £750k.

The Committee noted that as a result of the uncertainty around the ongoing funding for the ‘Drive’ initiative, the Service was considered options for the use of Virtual Reality as a perpetrator intervention and positive discussions had been taking place.  The Chairman requested that the Committee be provided with an update once those discussions had concluded.

In response to a question, the Head of Early Intervention and Family Support Services confirmed that it was anticipated that funding would continue at the same level.

The Committee noted that recently there had been a large increase in instances and offenses of domestic abuse and historically victims and survivors Service had sought innovative schemes going forward in order to ensure that the contract remained within budget.

RESOLVED: That the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

1.  Approve proceeding to a competitive tender for the provision of the Domestic Violence Against Women and Girls preventative services.

2.  Note that the proposed tender would be for a total of five years (1 +3 + 1) at an estimated cost of £150k per annum with a total proposed value of £750k.  This period has been chosen to align to the anticipated grant funding arrangements and is subject to confirmation of the supporting grant.